Pterostylis pratensis (Liawenee Greenhood)

Advice to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) on Amendments to the list of Threatened Species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)

1. Scientific name, common name (where appropriate), major taxon group

Pterostylis pratensis (Liawenee Greenhood)

2. National Context

The species is endemic to Tasmania. The species is currently listed as rare under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. It is not listed under the EPBC Act.

3. How judged by TSSC in relation to the EPBC Act criteria.

TSSC judges the species to be eligible for listing as vulnerable under the EPBC Act. The justification against the criteria is as follows:

Criterion 1 -Decline in numbers

There is no quantitative data available against this criterion.

Criterion 2 - Geographic distribution

The geographic distribution of the species is restricted. The area of occupancy is 20ha and the extent of occurrence 400km2. There is no available data indicating decline or extreme fluctuations in the area, extent or quality of habitat, the number of populations or the number of mature individuals.

Therefore, the species is not eligible for listing under this criterion.

Criterion 3 -Population size and decline in numbers or distribution

The total number of mature individuals is low, there being a total of 600 mature individuals, 500 of which are in a single population. There are seven known populations, three of which comprise 90% of the total population, however the geographic distribution is not considered precarious for the survival of the species. Further, there is no available data indicating decline or extreme fluctuations in the area, extent or quality of habitat, the number of populations or the number of mature individuals.

Therefore, the species is not eligible for listing under this criterion.

Criterion 4 -Population size

The number of mature individuals is low with the total population recorded to number 600 mature individuals.

Therefore, the species is eligible for listing as vulnerable under this criterion.

Criterion 5 - Probability of extinction in the wild

There is no quantitative data available against this criterion.

4. Conclusion

The number of mature individuals recorded for this species, 600, is low. The species is eligible for listing as vulnerable under criterion 4.

5. Recommendation

TSSC recommends that the list referred to in section 178 of the EPBC Act be amended byincluding in the list in the vulnerable category: